Healthy Easy Zucchini Stir Fry (Printable)

Low-carb stir fry with tender chicken, zucchini noodles, and crisp vegetables tossed in a savory, Asian-style sauce.

# Components:

→ Protein

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced

→ Vegetables

02 - 3 medium zucchini, spiralized into noodles
03 - 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 2 medium carrots, julienned
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
08 - 2 green onions, sliced for garnish

→ Sauce

09 - 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
10 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch, optional for thickening
14 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, optional for heat

→ Oil and Seasonings

15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil or neutral cooking oil
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Method:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, cornstarch if using, and chili flakes. Set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add sliced chicken, season lightly with salt and pepper, and stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add garlic, ginger, and onion. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add carrots and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until just tender.
05 - Add zucchini noodles and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, just until they begin to soften. Avoid overcooking to prevent sogginess.
06 - Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Pour in the sauce and toss everything together for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to coat and slightly thicken.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished with sliced green onions.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like takeout but keeps you feeling light and energized instead of sluggish afterward.
  • The whole thing comes together in 30 minutes, which means you can have dinner ready before hunger takes over completely.
  • One skillet does all the work, so cleanup becomes almost bearable.
02 -
  • Zucchini noodles will release water the moment they hit heat, so timing matters—undercooking them is actually the goal here, not a mistake.
  • Taste the sauce before it goes into the pan because adjusting seasoning becomes harder once everything is mixed together.
03 -
  • Slice your chicken breast thinly while it's still slightly cold—it's easier to cut and it cooks faster and more evenly.
  • Keep your spiralizer clean and dry before you use it, because wet zucchini turns into mushy strands instead of crisp noodles.
Return